Today, thanks to the contributions of scientific and technological advances to the science of dentistry, although the primary goal is to treat and keep the tooth in the mouth, in some cases, tooth extraction is resorted to for the protection of patient health or treatment planning. We can summarize these situations as follows:
Indications
- Teeth that cannot be saved with treatment due to advanced decay and material loss.
- Teeth that are broken in a way that cannot be treated as a result of impact.
- Abscessed teeth that cannot be saved despite root canal treatment.
- Teeth that are loose due to advanced gingivitis.
- Baby teeth that do not fall out on time.
- Teeth that cause problems due to excessive position changes (rotation, tipping, etc.).
- Teeth in cysts or tumors.
- Teeth that have not fully erupted (impacted) and cause problems.
- In order to assist orthodontic treatment due to lack of space, some teeth that are okay may be removed. can be extracted.
Contraindications - Situations Requiring Extraction
Hemorrhagic diatheses: Tooth extraction is contraindicated in diseases that cause blood clotting or high bleeding times, such as hemophilia, pernicious anemia, thrombocytopathy, thrombopenia, jaundice. If tooth extraction is unavoidable, the patient is taken under control by specialists and the extraction is performed after the necessary medications are used.
Acute inflammations: Acute inflammations are generally seen in cases where tissue resistance is low and the agent's virulence is high. The decrease in tissue resistance with tooth extraction allows acute inflammation to spread more easily. In addition, local anesthesia is contraindicated in an acutely inflamed area. Therefore, it is appropriate to start antibiotic treatment in patients before tooth extraction.
Systemic diseases: In diseases that delay wound healing, such as diabetes, extraction should be performed after the patient is taken under control.
Radiotherapy : Especially in malignant tumors, tooth extraction is contraindicated during radiation therapy, as radiation therapy will weaken the resistance of the tissues and cause the infection to spread easily.
Tooth Fracture During Extraction
Of course, force is applied during extraction. However, since the extraction instruments are already designed to increase the force applied by the doctor several times, excessive force can even have negative consequences. Therefore, tooth extraction is an intervention that requires more technical knowledge and skill. It should not be forgotten that many jaw surgeons are women.
- Especially in molars, i.e. teeth with many roots, when the roots are very far apart or curved.
- In elderly people where the bone has lost its elasticity.
- Again, in people with very thick jawbones that do not stretch.
- Due to excessive material loss, teeth that have lost their grip and have become brittle may break during extraction.
This is not a situation to be afraid of. If anesthesia, i.e. numbness, has been successfully provided, the dentist will painlessly remove the remaining pieces with tools produced for this purpose.
What to Consider Before Tooth Extraction?
If there is a medication (such as an antibiotic) recommended by your doctor, you should definitely use it regularly, adhering to its schedule. If you have a disease or allergy and also if you are taking any medications for this reason, you should definitely tell your doctor about them.
Aspirin-type medications that delay clotting should not be used before the extraction. If possible, the teeth should be brushed well and rinsed with antiseptic water (mouthwash). This will reduce the bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of infection.
